I watched, I cried and I remembered...this weekend was so emotional for me and for so many of my fellow Americans like you. I spent all but three hours watching back to back coverage of 9/11. I watched coverage that I'd never seen like the personal experiences of our then mayor, Rudy Giuliani and then President George Bush.
I imagined being at work, sitting at my desk and out of nowhere a plane enters the building killing my co-workers and injuring me. My next step is to get up and get out but I notice fire is everywhere, I know I cannot get out. Would I burn alive or jump out the window? What a terrible decision and overall situation.
I imagined getting ready to travel and kissing my loved ones good bye and a few hours later realizing my plane is being hijacked. Making the goodbye phone call and reflecting on my life that is about to end. I know that I will not survive a plane crash but I'm still shocked that my life will soon be over.
I imagine being a firefighter and running up the stairs of the WTC to help others, I mean I do this all the time... but this time out of nowhere the building falls and I die in an instant.
I imagine watching the buildings burn on TV and knowing that my husband is on a high floor and more than likely unable to get out. How do I breathe?
More than ten years ago, I would attend weekly meetings at the WTC on the 72nd floor and my office was only one train stop away... I feel blessed that I was spared but so guilty and sad for my fellow Americans and friends. I feel so sad for my fellow Americans that simply took a flight or headed out to work not realizing their life was about to end. I feel so sad but proud of my fellow Americans that took Flight 93 and was determined to not allow the terrorists to make their final target.
I think about the fatherless children, spouses that lost their partners, parents that lost their children, I could still hear the pain in their voices as they read the names of their loved ones.
I ask myself, how can I honor my fellow Americans... my answer, at least for now, live my best life. On days I feel sorry for myself, suck it up and be thankful for what I have. Do not settle but continue to ReCommit to my dreams.
My message to you, stop settling, stop living in fear, stop feeling sorry for yourself, ReFlect on the lives of the victims of September 11th and LIVE for yourself and LIVE for them!
From my heart,
Marquesa Pettway
PS: Please share your reflections and lessons learned...
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